Skip to main content

Full text of "The Dynasts : Parts First And Second"

See other formats


THE DYNASTS                   ACT
CHORUS
Us Ancients, then, it ill befits
To quake when Slaughters spectre flits
Athwart this field of Austerlitz !
SHADE OF THE EARTH
Pain not their young compassions by such lore> But hold you mute, and read the battle yonder : The moment marks the day's catastrophe.
SCENE  IV
THE  SAME.     THE  RUSSIAN  POSITION
It is about noon, and the vital spectacle is now near the village of ^Tilnitz. The fog has dispersed, and the sun shines clearly, though without warmth, the ice on the pools gleaming under its radiance,
GENERAL BUXHOVDEN and his aides-de-camp have reined up, and remain at pause on a hillock. The General watches through a glass his battalions, which are still disputing the village. Suddenly approach down the track from the upland of Pratzen large companies of Russian infantry helter-skelter. COUNT LANGERON is beheld to be retreating with them ; and soon, pale and agitated, he hastens up to GENERAL BUXH^VDEN, whose face is flushed.
LANGERON
While they are upon us you stay idle here ! Prschebiszewsky's column is distraught and rent, And more than half my own made captive !    Yea, Krezn6witz carried, and SokcSInitz hemmed : The enemy's whole strength will stound you soon !
You seem to see the enemy everywhere.
152